Darwin council to employ $110k ‘climate emergency officer’

DARWIN council will employ a ‘climate emergency project officer’ on an equivalent annual salary of more than $110,000 a year

Darwin council will employ a ‘climate emergency project officer’ on an equivalent annual salary of more than $110,000 a year

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DARWIN council will employ a “climate emergency project officer” on an equivalent annual salary of more than $110,000 a year.

The role will address council’s “internal sustainability shortcomings” in the next three months.

The position, part of council’s Climate Emergency Project Management Plan, could turn into a permanent position that would cost ratepayers more than $110,000 annually, including superannuation.

Alderman Mick Palmer says he doesn’t think Darwin council’s new job position should even exist. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Alderman Mick Palmer said the position shouldn’t exist, let alone beyond February.

“I think it’s symbolic in the extreme and probably at best shambolic,” he said.

“No, I don’t think it should extend beyond February, I don’t think it should exist, but I’m very much in the minority.”

It would primarily look to influence behavioural changes within council and reduce internal emissions but would also work with the community in building campaigns related to a climate emergency.

A council spokeswoman said the job was scheduled to end in February, with the possibility of extension.

“At the moment it is a three-month contract to develop the climate emergency response,” she said.

“Any extensions would be based on council decision and funding allocation.”

The salary and benefits will be paid monthly, meaning the new officer will earn about $28,000 for three months’ work.

In the job description, council said its positions came with “generous entitlements and benefits” including six weeks annual leave, 15 days personal leave, district allowance and salary sacrifice options.

Alderman Robin Knox said sustainability was an area council needed to address.

“I think we have a sustainability issue within council, I think they’re short-staffed and I think it’ll be a long-term position,” she said.

“I’ll be pushing for it to be a long-term role.”

She said it would be a valuable addition to ensuring council worked in a sustainable manner moving forward.

“I’m glad we’re going to have a climate officer … I’m hoping it won’t just be to react to things, I’m hoping it will be a really proactive role,” she said.

“(They can help with) how our buildings become more efficient, how we can better support the community … it’s quite a big job, really.”

Previously, Mr Palmer criticised the council’s declaration of a “climate emergency” and said there were plenty of things council should be doing internally if it was serious about climate change.

“There is the council collectively, we can cut our (vehicle) fleet in half and if people want to go somewhere they can organise with colleagues and share vehicles,” he said.

“Unless we collectively and individually are going to make hard decisions and do something about it, this is just self indulgent.”

Applications for the position close this coming Monday at 5pm.